Evening Star Newspaper, March 25, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENING &TAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 31€1 Ferreylwania Avente, Cor. 1th St, by i Com The Er SPATE CoDy Kew Yerk Office, 49 Pottor Buildin. — ‘The Evening Star ts served to subscribers in the ety by ctrriers, on their own accouut, at 10 cents per week, or 44 cents per month. pies at the center 2 certs exch. By mail—anywhere in the United States «r Cannda—postage prepald—50 cents PeSarorday Qui Sheet Star, $1 tb turday Quin eet Star, $1 per year, wi tndded $3.00. foreign postage .00. (Entered at the Po.t Office at Washington, D. C.. Che #£v ¢ en oon | Star. as sec nd-class ma'l matter.) > Ail mall subscriptions must be paid In advance. Rates of advertising made known on applicstior. No. 14,061.- WASHINGTON, D. C., FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1898—SIXTEEN PAGES. Maine Explosion Due to External Agency. RESPONSIBILITY IS NOT FIXED ——>__—_. Statement by One of the Highest Government Officials. REPORT GIVEN 10 THE PRESIDENT Findings Discussed in the Cabinet Meeting. SPAIN’S TORPEDO FLOTILLA The report cf the court of inquiry ap- pointed to investigate the Maine delivered to the President this morn- disast2r ted in the extra Star, it shows: The board of inquiry into the loss of the ine finds that the e: on which de- ed the Maine was from the outside, and does not fix the responsibility for the It does net express an opinion as to the character of the explosive, but the testimony goes to show that it was a pow- erful submarine mine, the exact character disaster. ef whica is not determined by the testi- mony, t ough the belief was expressed that it was whot is known as a floating sub- » mine. There were two explosions, ard finds; the first was from tke out- and that set off one of the smaller zines. movement of the a from the Spanish torpedo islanas to Porto De- Canary Rico is the chief topic am partment officials. Corre likely to follow. w ordered to in Hamp- He will t e command Monday. ter was detached from com- e South Atla 1 Sicard was detac’ of the North Atlantic six months’ ic leav>. Capt. Sampson taken steps to utilize the naval militia of New England | and New York in m of 1 the cil monitors mini civil war. Representativ> Wi niroduced a bill | neral terms t aut President | y during the sia ge to prepare to defe d the cou recess ef Congress if Spain er any country ec n act of war. Orders wer issued to hurry up work on of the cruisers recenily | in England from Brazil. ker, chief of the revenue day i ue cutter service on life-saving serv duty on the ¥ sent tot eutters fi rfolk yard vice as soon of the ment over the movement of of torpedo poats from tit ies to Porto Rico. The flotilla is one of the most formi bie of its kind and the sending of to the West t this time is re- garded as 2 mn of Spain's en- Ceavor to be prepared for any emergency t may arise in or near Cuban waters. Navy experts are of opinion that in ordinary circumstances it will take the flotilla about ten days to make the jour- ney from the Canaries to Porto Rico, but i: is exccedingly likely that it will actually require several days longer. The liability of the beats to accident is great, particu- la if they should encounter rough weather. Then, tco, if they should be ac- ccmpanied by a collier the speed of the uld be reduced to that of the coal fleet w at. peaking this morning of the movement of the flotilla one of the naval officials com- boats pared the torpedo d to a nic itch to race horses e keyed up to rp and decisive are } Waile the flowla mi cown. 8 trip to Porto Rico in ten days, in order to do so absolutely smooth water would have to tance. It Is understood today that some corre- spondence with Spain through Minister Polo concerning the movements of the tor- beat flotilla is not unlikely. The tements made‘ yesterday to the effect be insured them throughout the dis- that this government might regard the sending of the flotilla to West Indian waters as an act unfriendly to the United asmuch as {t evident that were not intended for use against n insurgents, and, as a matter of joyed only against a hos- ips, were accentuated to- entations, if any, will be day. made to Spain cannot, quite naturally, be uscertained. at repre Proposed Purchase of Yachts. In this connection the announcement made last evening that the Navy Depart- ment had under consideration, and nad, in- deed, practically concluded, the purchase of several fast yachts which it Js proposed to transform into torpedo boats, is not Viewed with entire favor by naval men. The vessels which the department has in view have a speed rate ranging from six- teen to twenty knots, while specially de- signed torpedo beats have a speed of from twenty-four to thirty knots. As against torpedo boats the fleet of “make- as the proposed purchases c_ the government were termed by a naval offi- cial, would cut a comparatively insignifi- cant figure. In the absence of anything better, however, it was conceded that the vessels, if acquireé by the government, would prove of distinct value. Information as to the names of the ves- sels which the Navy Department has in view for purchase was refused today, lest the premature announcement might em- barrass the negotiations and possibly serve to increase the price which the govern- ment would have to pay for them. Later in the day, should the negotiations be closed, the names of the vessels will be made public. Commodore Schley Given Command. The Navy Department today made the first public admission that the “flying squadron,” with headquarters at Hamp- ton Roads, wo 1d be established. This was conveyed through the formal orders, post- ed at the department, stating that Com- Cemmodcre W. S. Schley, Commander of the Flying Squadron. modore W. S. Schley was detached from bis present service as chairman ef the lignthouse board and was ordered “to com- a the = squadron, cruiser Ercck- iyn, flagship.” Tae fact that this squadron Was contemplated has been well known, not until today has the department d its character and named its com- mation of “flying” has a dis- ning in naval pariance. It will the ships a base at Hampton Roads, but they will be at all tim ubject to Commorodre Schley's orders for immediate service at points clong the Atlantic coast or wherever they may be needed. At pres- ent the fine armored cruiser Brooklyn, ch is to be Commodore Schley’s flag- , and the battie ship Texas are’ the the flying squadron at Hamp- They will be speedily aug- nted, nowever, as the battle ship M. sachusetts is hourly expected to report her ari there, and the crack cruisers Co- lumbia and Minneapolis are outfitting at the League Island navy yard and will proceed te Hempton Roads at an early These vessels compose the squad- ron at p r Cincinnati and 1 Bancroft are not squadron. An indication in this direction was given tocay by an cfficial order, which detached Capt. Ci commander of .the-.Cincin- nati, fran command of tle South Atlantic squadron, but teft him in ‘corimand of the Cincinnati. The effect of this is to remove the Cincinnati from the South Atlantic service and make available for the North Atlantic station, presumably at Hampton Keads, whe od would make her a valuatle adjunct to the quick uvers of Commodor. quadroa. ers in terms make tthe ships at Hamp irely séparate from the ron, of which Capt. This exped- ient, as all the ve me station have always he: et. Asa flying Comine =4 jron, however, ve els of ore Schley's command have wide regular assem- the North Atiantic. Com- as at the Navy Depart- unced that he would assume command Mo: y at Hampton Reads, ther order issued by the. Navy De- partment today carries out the anncunce- ment of Secretary Long yesterday that Sampson would command the North me Ue squadron. Th order as issued reads that he is “commander-in-chief of the North Atlantic station.” Although Key West advices state that the battle ship Iowa will probably be his flagship, the erders of the Navy Department indicate that the cruiser N2w York will continue as flagship of the squadron. Capt. Sampson's flag is a triangular blue pennant, without stars or other insignia. Admiral Sicard’s Retirement. Admirai Sicard was detached from com- mand of the North Atlantic squadron and allcwed six months’ leave by orders issued a The effect of this six months’ leave practically close Admiral Sicard’s service in the navy. He retires the age limit of sixty-two years cn September 30 next, which ig just six months and six days from the beginning of his leave. This will give him but six days’ of active service when his leave expir2s, so that to all practical purposes the admiral cioses his active service when he hauls down his flag from the flagship New York. This is a source of the sincérest regret to Secretary Long and all naval officials, who pay the highest tribute io the devoted ser- vice of Admiral Sicard throughout the re- cent critical period, aud to his personal bravery in r2maining at his post while his health was in a precarious condition, Utilizing Naval Militias ‘the Navy Department has takn active steps to utilize the naval militia of New Englard and New York staté in manning’ the old single-turreted tacniters recently called into service. To that era the as- sistant secretary wrote some dafs ag> to the heads of the naval militia in’ Massa chusetts and New York asking them how quickly they could furnish officers and men te take the monitors from League Island to their respective posts ut Boston, New York and Portland. Thé answer of Massa- (Continued on Second Page.) FEAR TORPEDO FLEET Naval Officers at Key West Point Out Its Force. MENACE T0 OUR BATTLESHIPS Preparations for Actual War Go Actively On. ANOTHER TORPEDO BOAT KEY WEST, Fla., March 25.—It was#not vntil today that the news of the departure of the Spanish torpedo flotilla from the Canary Islands became known among the naval officers here. It created intense feel- ing, especially among the officers of the torpedo boats which are in this harbor. One of the most prominent of these officers said today: “If the United States allows the Spanish boats to get to Porto Rico it will be the biggest mistake ever made. They are a greater menace to the safety of cur fleet than if all the rest of the Span- ish navy was brought to these waters. “At Porto Rico they will be nearer Key West than Havana. Only two torpedo beats in our navy would have any chance of ‘Betting away from the Spanish torpedo boat destroyers. The Iowa, New York and indiana lying out there six miles off the land would practically be at the mercy of say a dozen Spanish torpedo boats, which eculd run over from Porto Rico in a short time should war be declared. Means of Defense Lacking. Ve have no protected harbors here, and we have not a single torpedo boat de- siroyer, and unless a fleet powerful enough to be proof against these torpedo boats is quickly concentrated in these waters, or unless the Spanish flotilla is warned to keep farther away, I should judge that it wculd be better to take every United States warship as far away as possible from this menacing force which Spain in- tends to concentrate within such a con- venient distance as Porto Rico. “It is all very well to talk of peace and to say that there is no probability of war, but at the same time while international relations are strained displays of force should be met with alacrity, and, as a tor- pedo expert, I must say that if every ship in the United States navy was brought into these waters it would be none too for- midable a display when the strength of the Spanish flotilla is considered.” Colwell Gets a Torpedo Boat. LONDON, Maren %5.—Licutenant Com- mander Colwell, the United States naval atlache here, has pought for the United States government, through an American firm, first-class torpedo boat, built at Schickau fer Germany. She is ready to sail. The United States cruisers San Francisco aad New Orieans were expected to suil to- day for the United States, Lut they will Probably postpone their departure until to- morrow, as they may be unable to complete lozding ammunition, . Activity at Mare Island. VALLEJO, Cal., March 25.—Great activ- ity prevails at the Mare Island navy yard. The cruiser Philadelphia has been: hauled from the stream and lies alongsidg the quay Wali, near the Charleston. The gun- boat Yorktown has also been towed to the wall, and all three ships fairly swarm with men at all hours, ‘he Charleston is rapidly nearing completion, and will be Teaay to go imo commission in a cumpar- auvely short tume. fhe Yorktowu, too, is nearly ready for sea, and te purchase of suppies tor both now being mad Lieut. Commande? Thomas S. Pheips, jr., formerly execuuve oticer of the receiving ship Inueperdence, who accompanted Presi- gent Doie 6: Hawaii on bis tip to Wash- ington as naval aid, has been appoined emer aid to Rear Admiral Kirkiand, 13 mament at the Presidio, SAN FRANC#SCO, March 25.—A new tweive-inch rifled cannon, with a disap- pearing Carriage, to be locatea at the rre- siudio, has arrived from the east and will be mounted at once. Eveniualiy it is the intention of the War Deparunent to have uuree or 16ur more of Uese disappearing guas ai the Presidio, three at Lime rome ahd about seven at Point Lobos. Several caricaus of powuer and projec- tiles tor new guns, as well as tor the other modern weapons at the Presiaio and Lime Pom, are now en route trom the east. Al the Presidio there are five ten-inch modern rifles and three dynamite guns in position, also live tweive-inch guus mounted on barvettes and sixicen twelve- inch mortars. A secondary battery of mor- tars is now being prepared. At Lime Point there are three tweive-inch rifles on barbeties. Naval Officers’ Changes. PORTLAND, Ore., March 25.—Robert W. Galt, chief engineer, U. 8S. N., who has been imspector of machinery on the tor- pedo bouts being Luilt by Wolf & Swicker iron works, has been detached and ordered to proceed to Mare Island on the arrival of his relief, Passed Assistant Engineer dioward Gage, who has been on duty at the Union iron works, San Francisco. Hough Riders Offer Services. CHEYENNE, Wyo., March 25.—Governor Richards has received an offer from Geo. R. Shanton, a well-known Laramie cow- boy, to raise within ten days’ notice a company of fifty rough riders and expert shots for service in the event of war. ‘The men will furnish thelr own mounis and equipments. The offer will be accepted by the governor if war should ensue. President Asked to Go Slow. COLORADO SPRINGS, Col., March 25.— A petition signed by fifty citizens of Colo- rado Springs was sent to President McKin- ley expressing the “hope that in behalf of justice, humanity and of our own perma- nent rational welfare, the United States will continue to refrain from hostile inter- vention in Cuba. A false step at this time may bring war, and it is possible that vic- tory, by begetting a willingness to inter- fere in the affairs of other nations, may produce results that might be worse eyen than defeat.” a ; Among the signers are Dr. William F. Slocum, president of Coorsas College; Irv- Battery at Point Wilson, Wash.” TWO CENTS. number of heavy guns are now on their way here and preparations.for setting them up_will be immediately commenced. Coal for Key Went Fleet. PHILADELPHIA, Pa., March 25.—The goverrment tug Leyden ‘sailed from the League Island navy yard today for Key West, having in tow the barge Edith Howes, loaded. with coal. _ Crew Comes From the Lakes. Special Dispateh to The Bvening Star. CLEVELAND, Ohio, March 25.—Righty- four saiors- and marines ‘left’ Erie, Pa., this morning for League Island navy yard, Philadelphia. They belong=to the Uniled States steamer Michigan, and left in re- sponse to orders. from =the Navy Depart- ment received last night. Holinnd Coming Here for n Test. NEW YORK, March 25.—The submarine beat Holland will be taken to Washington next week for test before officials. The test will be speed, submarine and gun service. The boat will go to Washington through the canals. The gun tests and probably the last sub- marine maneuvers the boat will make here will be made tomorrow. TO CELLS WITHOUT TRIAL Political Prisoners in Cuba Fare Badly Under Autonomy, Indefinite Charge of Conspiracy Suf- ficent to Send Them to Spanish Dungeons, (Copyright, 1888, by Charles. M. Pepper.) Special From a Staff Correspondent. HAVANA, March 23, via Port Tampa, Fla., March 24.—Pretense is-made of prepar- ing for the elections under autonomy and negotiating a treaty of commerce with the United States under such regime. These ef- forts are put forth ina desperate endeavor to show that a spark of vitality yet remains in the government under Spanish sover- eignty Events, however, are showing what Spain really understands by autonomy. The other day I saw the royal mail steamer go out with nine prisoners of state, who are destined for prison in Barcelona, which has been made infamous ip. recent years by the cruelties committed within its walls. I have seen this reyal mail go out in Wey- ler’s time bearing Cubans condemned to chains for life or to perpetual imprison- ment in the penal settlements of Africa. They were charged with the crime of rebel- lion, and the cause of their deportation was given. They had even been vut through the form of a farcical trial. The men who are row on the sea as prisoners consigned to the fortress in Barcelona’ have not even had the form of a trial under the regime of autonomy, though the pramise was made that under the new regime the rights of all persons would be sacredly respected. Indefinite Charge of Conspiracy. Three weeks ago a score df Persons were arrested. The complaint aZaimgt them was the Indefinite charge of “conspiracy.” They were admittedly pclitical prisoners. Noth- ing has been heard of the evidence against them or of their defense: The only farcical proceeding has been what is called an “ex- pedient” or statement uf thé police to the authorities of the, grounds of their arrest. It is the nature of a grand jury process of indictmeat. On this showing they have been deported as prisoners. Not a word has been permitted in their defense. The press, under the military ;censorship, has been allowed to publish ndthing about the case. What the fate of the men who are imprisoned in the Barcelona fortress will be no one can foresee. The insurgent general, Ruiz Riveria, after his refusal to accept from Blanco freedom on condition of his supporting autonomy, was transported to these prisons and is there now. These deportations were made in the name of the autonomist cabinet ef Cuba and under its authority. The real influence was the Spanish government, act- ing through Captain General Blanco. Odium Placed on Cabinet. But the odium was placed on the autono- mist cabinet. Its members had neither the spirit nor the power to resist. They mere- ly accepted their function. The case has not excited much attention among the Cubans. They knew that Spanish rule might change in name, but not in fact. So the exercise of arbitrary power does not surprise them, though it justifies them in their refusal to be deceived into accepting autonomy. Possibly the incident may aid some people in Washington to an under- standing of the conditions which have made a failure of the “concession” of colonial If-government by Spain to. Cuba. CHARLES M. PEPPER. CLAIM IT WAS ACCIDENT Spain's Report on Maine Disaster Filed at 4 Madrid, Complete Detajiw Cabled From Havana Last Night and Read by Admiral Bermejo. MADRID, March 25.—The Spanish min- ister of marine, Admire! Bermejo, was en- gaged all night in deciphering &-long dis- patch from the admirak in command in Cuban waters, contaii complete details of the findings of the Spanish court of in- quiry into the loss of the Maine. Parties cognizant of the effair unani- mously declare, the Spaniards report, that the explosion which wrecked the battle ship was of internal origin. The report on the loss of the ;Maine, however, is said ta he “ecnfuged,”"and ex- Planations are said to have been requested. In any case, it ts added, it will not be pub- Hshed until after the Teport of the United States naval court of imquiry hes been made public. i ee Oe _The Correspondencta says the Spanish government will dispatch a note to Wash- ington requesting ‘that the-report on the loss of the Maine be not sent to Congress until Both reports are presbnted and con- sidered by both gcvernments. PRESIDENT HAS IT Report on the Maine Disaster Taken to the White House. - NOT OPENED BY SECRETARY LONG Going Over the Document With Judge Advocate Marix. CONSIDERED BY THE CABINET The report of the Maine court of inquiry was delivered into the hands of President McKinley at 2 o'clock this morning. It was handed to the President by Lieutenant Commander Marix personally, Secretary Loug leaving that honor to the officer who brought and guarded the report for so many miles, At the Navy Department. The document was brought to the Navy Department about 9 o’clock by Lieutenant Commander Marix, the Judge advocate of the court, and Lieut. Jungen, one of the survivors of the Maine, who were of the party that brought it from Admiral Sicard on his flagship New York at Key West. They spent the night quietly at the Ebbitt House, and, after breakfasting, this morn- ing proceeded to the Navy Department. They were in civilian dress, and attracted no special attention as they walked from the hotel up the avenue past the White | House to the Department. Lieut. Jungen carried the report in a canvas bag or hay- ersack, slung over his left shoulder. It was almost exactly 9 o'clock when they reached the department. In accordance With the invariable custom in such cases, they went first to the office of the judge ad- vecate general of the navy and reported their arrival with the record of the Maine court of inquiry. The usual course of pro- cedure in such cases is for the judge advo- cate general to review the proceedings and findings, to see that they are reguier and in accordance with the law and the regu- lations of the navy, with a special view to see that the finding is justified by the dence. Owing to the vast importance of this case, however, the usual formalities were waived and the judge advocate gen- eral did not open the packase containing the report. Delivered to the Secretary. A messenger was sent to the Secretar office to see if he was there and ready to receive the bearers of the report. An af- firmative reply was received, whereupon Lieut. Commander Marix, accompanie: the judge advocate general and his m ger, the latter pearing the report, proceed down the corridor to the Secretar, office. It was then about 9.10 o'clock. Secretary Leng, who was seated at his desk in the consideration of his mail, arose a greeted Lieut. Commander Marix cordial ‘That officer then tock the report from t Tmessenger and formally deliver: piacing it in the hands of the the Navy. The judge advccate his messenger remained on: minutes, leaving Lieut. Commander Marix aloné with the Secre . Secretary Long and Commander Marix did not exchange a werd concerning the contents of the report. The meeting in the | Secretary's office was purely formal, and was devoted exclusively to the formal sub- mission by Commander Marix to Mr. Long of the report and the voluminous evidence accompanying it. Without commenting om the purposes of the visit, the Secre? vited Commander Marix to wait had gone through the important dispatches and. reports arriving during the night and early morning. Some of these and Mr. Long tery, Mr. Finney, and ¢ ters and dispatches before turning to the report. He also sent for Capt. Clover, chief of the bureau of infermation, and Capt. O'Neil, chief of the bureau of ord- uired speedy attenti n his private si nance, for brief conferencts. ‘These over Mr. Long asked Ccmmander Marix to ac- company him to the White House. The two then proceeded to the White Heuse to deliver the report into the hands cf Presi- dent McKinley. When the two gentlemen left the Secretary's office in the Navy De- partment they were met by several new: paper men. Secretary Long greeted them pleasarily and said with a smile that he had not opened the report and really knew no more concerning ite conten.s than the: did, With that he and his companicn pass- ed into the elevator ard were taken to the first flocr, where they entered Secretary Leng’s carriage and were driven to the White House. Lieut. Com. Marix carried j the report in the canvas bag in which it was brought from Key West, and the Naval Secretary carried his fam‘liar small black portfolio and’ a wocden ro’l, around which was wrapped a large sheet of trams- parent paper, such as maps are made of. At the White House. There was nothing exciting in the arrival of the report at the White House or in the preliminary incidents. President McKinley was not ready for breakfast as early as usual this morning. He had remained in his office late last night, having been en-_ gaged in 2 conference up to 11 o'clock with Senators Hanna and Fairbanks, and work- ing in his office for more than an hour afterward. Breakfast was over, however, shortly after 9 o'clock, and the President went upstairs and began going over the morning papers. He was engaged in this when Secretary Long and_ Commander Marix arrived, eR x - Secretary Long carried the green cloth bag in which’ he carries all the important documents to be submitted to the Presi- dent. Commander Marix held in his right hand the canvas bag containing all the papers of the investigation into the Main disaster. & The canvas bag was a ship's mail pouch. Given to the President. President McKinley was seated in the Jong hallway in the private apartments of- ‘the second floor when the momentous doc- ument w2s turned over to him. Lieut. Commander Marix was infroduced to the President by Secretary Long. After a few words the three repaired to the library, where so many important con- ferences have recently been“held. There the report was gone into fully, Comman- der Marix remaining. to answer, all- Advertising is not an expense. It is a business investment. If you want to invest your money Profitably you will therefore put your advertisements in such a paper as The Evening Star, that is read regularly and thoroughly by everybody worth reaching, ie Star is the ized household and family journal of the National Capital. and has no rival as an advertising med- ium. a went to the White House fifteen minutes after the delivery of the report. He was with the President and Secretary Long an hour. It is not thought he took away any part of the report for the purpose of com- municating with Minister Woodford. All communication to Minister Woodford or with the Madrid government will probably be ¢elayed until tonight or tomorrow. Judge Day had called at the White House at 9 o'clock, but as the President had not come down stairs he went away to return later. It is thought from this that he probably had matters other than the Maine report to confer about with the President. The Cabinet Meeting. The President, Secretary Long and Com- mander Marix lingered in the library until all the members of the cabinet. arrived. The President and Secretary Long proceed- €d to the cabinet room, leaving Lieutenant Commander Marix in the library, so that he could be within call should the cabinet desire any explanaticn of the contents of the report and the accompanying drawings. Secretary Long and Commander Marix left the White Honse about 12 o'clock, go- ing to the Navy Department. Commander Marix remained with the Prezident and cabinet long’ enough to explain any fea- ture of the investigation desired. After his departure the cabinet got down to hard and serious work ‘n ccnsideration of the message. Wil Not Cause an Immedirte Ruptare Nothing around the White House today changes the universal belief that the Maine rcport wll show that there was an outside explosion, but the feeling grows that the repert will not cause an immediate diplo- matic rupture. Those who are expecting the President to make positive and quick demands upon Spain in the way of reparation are almost svre to be mistak It is strongly be- lieved that no indemni y will be asked, and that Spain will be allowed to determine for herself whet she will do. The refusal of the President to de an indemnity, nd or even to hint for one, will be regard: the most signiticant feature of the uation. It will mean that the Pi iaent will soon take action which he dces not desire to be andicapped by a pending dispute over mone: It will be a warning to Spain which her statesmen are Fure to see and which will probably cause them more serious concern than a dozen demands for indemnity. It is generally felt today that to make a demand for indemnity, to be followed by a tong correspondence over arbitration, weulé postpone a settignent of the main question at issue for an indefinite period. Cabinet Officiain Cheerfal The cabinet adjourned at 1:10 o'clock, Gisappointing those who had expected a Icng meeting. As the members passed out of the President's room they were chat- ting away as pleasantly with each other as if they had been attending a delightful reception. One of them laughed heartily at some remark of another. It is learned that none of the testimony vas read to the cabinet officials, cr asked for by them. They were simply acquainted with the summary, which was read in full. This was all they desired. Commander Marix explained a number of things and also gave his individual impressions when asked to do so, as was several times the case. The President did not give any inti tion of a change in the original program of sending the report to Congress on Monday. Whatever the conienis of the report it Gid not have the effect of altering plans | already announced in The Siar. Be Cabled to Madrid. ate copy of the report is sald to been sent to the State I tment time before tie adjournment of the cabinet that it might be imme: put in cipher and to Minister Woodford. The understanding ver, that n instructions will eccumpuny this draft o the verdict. Yae Président will this after- keen or tomorrow decide insiruc- ticns will iven the at the nish capiial cate so soon as he come: to what represeniations shall be Spain. Without exception, cabinet members de- cline to discuss aaything which occurred in the cabinet meeting. one of them at- tempied to deny, however, that the gravity of the situation has been at ell altered by the report. Al answers made to questions even whea cf an evasive nature, carried (h them a tendency to show that there is nothing in the repert to sustain the form theory of an acci it. Everything goes to show the outside exp m idea to have been the correct one from the beginning. Another Cabinet Meeting. The cabinet members have the impres- sion chat they may be called together in by the President before the report goes to Congress. what made to The President received no visitors today beyond those actively engaged in dealing with the question of the hour. He held no public reception this afternoon and will devote all the time between now and Mon- day to a consideration of the grave ques- tions before him. He will spend a good deal of the time in reading the testimony taken before the board. WILL RETIRE FROM POLITICS. Representative Curtis Will Not Stand for Re-Election. Representative Curtis of Iowa, who is a member of the committee on the District of Columbia, and has taken a prominent part in the preparation of legislation re- ported from the committee, has decided that he will not be a candidate for renomi- nation for Congress. Mr. Curtis has notified his friends in the secend Icwa district that his business af- fairs require his attention to an extent pro- hibiting his serving a third term in Con- Mr. Curtis wiij be missed in the.District committee in the next Congress. He has been faithful in attendance upon its ses- sions, has brought high ability to bear up- on the consideration of important bills, and has rendered efficient aid to Chairman Bab- cock. Mr. Curtis has made a great number of friends during his two terms in the House, and is held in high esteem by men upon both sides of the chamber. 3 o— Personal Mention. ‘ Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Lovell of New York are at the Shoreham. - Mr. Jas. T.-Carmcdy of 401 D street northeast_has returned from Alaska. Col. G. B. Davis, judge advocate gener- al's department, stationed at West ‘War Depart: [THE OHIO ON A BOOM River is Rising an Inch an Hour af Cincinnati. FLOODS HAVOC AT OTHER POINTS Water Gradually Receding Along Headwaters of the Stream. STATEMENT OF B. AND O. R. R. CINCINNATI, Ohio, March 25.—The Ohio mver continues steadily rising about an inch an hour. It was 52.2 at 10 a.m. From reports from above it is certain the river wil! continue to rise here more rapidly to- » Teaching its limit Sun- It now seems certain that a stage of mere than 55 feet will be reached. Fifty- six feet will encroach upon the Newport race track and probably cause a postpone- ment of the April meeting. The Ohio is still rising at Parkersburg, three-tenths of a foot per hour. The Kanawha river has risen five feet at Ciarleston. The flood continues at Zanesville, where the Muskingum is still rising two inches an hour. Two persons are reported drown- ei. More thar two hundred box cars have been destroyed and the city is without light er water supply. The s in the county is now estimated at ms. Two thousand persons cre sheltered in public halis and the market house. Desolation at Pittsburg. PITTSBURG, Pa., March 25.—As the flood subsides the inundated districts in cities present a desolate appea the residents are beginning to after effects of the high wate o’ciock the water had receded to 21%, feet, which is six irches below the 4: From careful estimates made it lieved that the loss in and about and Allegheny will reach $1,009,000. includes the loss of wages occasioned by the employes of manufacturing establish~ ments forced to clo Along the B. and 0. BALTIMORE, March 25.—The Baltimore and Ohio reports this morning water re- ceding at Wheeling and all other points, except Zanesville and near Parkersburg. Water came over the track at the latter place about 6 o'clock this morning, tyini up the line. It is expected to recede night. The Zanesville district is in bad condi- tion and communication wil! be cut off for thirty-six hours. Other divisions west of Chio will probably be m shape by night. Trains are still running between Chicago and Baltimore via Pittsburg, subject only to slight delays. —___— SEVERE STORMS IN ENGLAND. 2 ow. LONDON, March 25.—The storms con- tinue throughout the united kingom; rai road tra’ are imbedded in heavy snow erifts; telegraph wires are down in many parts of the country; ple. have been frozen to death while traversing the moors; a hurricane has swept all the coast, and terrific seas have been running. Channel services have be there have been numberless wrecks of small craft; the lifeboats and the rocket service have been busy; many people n ed from Growning, and ihe ship- erywhere secking shelter. mage has been done at the har- rs have been swept away, and the ides are ficoGing the streets. A Swedish brig went ashore nezr Grims- by this moining. Her crew perished before assisiance could reach them. est anxiety is felt for the safe- fishing fleets. oe PEOPLE'S BANK SOLY nm suspended: Tv. Stutement Made by a Gentleman Closely Connected With Lt. PHILADELPHIA, March A gentle- nan closely connected with the People's ated today that the Nabilities of ank are about $1,500,000. He express- ed the belief that the bank is solvent. ank was incorporated under the state laws in 1870 and was rechartered in 8 38M. It has since its iacorporation ried heavy deposits of state fui the 's deposits at present approximating 1 million dollars. It was reported on the street today that Mr. Hopkins, the cashier, and a terded to voth political and pe It is also said that Mr. Hopkins handled the moneys of the republican state committee. It was rumored today that the Gua teers Finance Company is indebted to the People’s Bank to the amount of $500.00), end that the securities given for the loan by the finance company are practically werthless. The loan was obtain: from Cashier Hopkins by Richard Loper, gen- eral manager of the Guaranteers Finance Company. FIRE AT NANTASKET BEACH. An Incendiary Stnrts Blazes in Five Buildings. NANTASKET BEACH, Ma: March 25. —A fire which caused:a loss of $50,000, and which, from evidence discovered by the fire department, was started in five different buildings by an incerdiary, broke out here at about 3:30 o'clyck this morning. The Hotel Standish, one of the finest structures here, was destroyed, with its ecntents, and tne cafe, hetel and bath house owned by Joe Lennon, the former pvgilist, of Bostcn, was damaged to the extent of $3,500. Several smaller places were considerably damaged also. All property owners are insured. There is no clue to the incendiary. SSE Se DIVORCE FOR MRS. CARLSTADT. Rumor That the Actress is to Marry A. G. Wheeler. CHICAGO, March 25.-Judze Brentano today granted to Claudia Carlstadt, the actress, a divoree from her husband after @ hearing lasting but a few minutes. The